Source/sensor: Seasat SASS

Coverage: 7 July 1978-10 October 1978, global

Abstract: This data set consists of wind vectors over the ocean derived from the Seasat scatterometer and covers a three-month period from July to October 1978. The data are global and are presented chronologically by swath. Each record contains data for a 100 km by 1500 km area on the ocean surface; the 100 km side is in the along track direction. Within this area, data (wind speed and direction) is provided for thirteen of fifteen 100-km cells. No wind vectors are computed for the port and starboard cells adjacent to the nadir cell; and for the nadir cell, only wind speed is available. Ambiguities in the wind direction are resolved by use of a global weather prediction model. The data set is the outcome of a reprocessing effort by F. Wentz, R. Atlas, and M. Freilich, involving new algorithms, that was undertaken in response to systematic errors in the original wind vectors produced by the Seasat Project. The data set is approximately 147 MB. Data are provided in binary and are available via anonymous FTP to podaac.jpl.nasa.gov in the pub/ocean_wind/seasat/wind/swath_Wentz directory or on 8mm or 4mm tape using LINUX Tar. A Users Guide is available.

Data Set Volume: 147 MB

Smallest order: Entire data set.

Comments: This data set underwent restoration in 1997.

Formats:Data are provided in binary and are available via anonymous FTP to podaac.jpl.nasa.gov in the pub/ocean_wind/seasat/wind/swath_Wentz directory or on 8mm or 4mm tape using LINUX Tar.